Who Is Jackie Evancho? Meet the 16-Year-Old Trump Inauguration Performer

After a reported scramble to find musicians who are willing to perform at Donald Trump's January 20 presidential inauguration, the president-elect's camp has nailed down two performers to sing the national anthem, according to TMZ: Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and 16-year-old singer Jackie Evancho. So who is Jackie Evancho?

Longtime viewers of America's Got Talent know the crossover opera singer from her competing on the show in Season 5 back in 2010, when she finished in second place. And the inauguration won't be her first big D.C. appearance, as she sang at the National Christmas Tree lighting that same year. Since then she's released five full-length studio albums including 2016's Someday at Christmas, four of which hit the Top 20 on the Billboard 200. She dipped her toe into acting in the 2012 political thriller The Company You Keep starring Robert Redford and Shia LaBeouf, and is a former child model for Guess Kids clothing.

Evancho first met Donald Trump at 10, when the reality show star was evidently so taken with the young blonde that he invited her to his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida. Few could have guessed it would be the beginning of a mutually beneficial relationship.

Jackie Evancho announced her performance on NBC's TODAY on Wednesday morning (December 14). "I'm so excited. It’s going to be awesome," Jackie said. Jackie's mother told TMZ that Donald himself called the young singer's manager to extend the invitation.

Who, in addition to Andrea Bocelli and Jackie Evancho, will perform at Trump's inauguration? No word yet on whether his "good friend" Kanye West, who met with the president-elect at New York City's Trump Tower on December 14, will put in an appearance, or who else is on board — though unconfirmed rumors say country singer Garth Brooks is in talks.